Astro_Al Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Hi guys, there have been some LED related threads on here, so I thought I might get an educated response. I have rebuild the back of a vitara (sorry) to be a kind of mini flatbed pickup. I got some LED light units to use instead of the awkwardly curved original light units, from here: http://www.trailertek.com/acatalog/led_lights.html The first thing at the top of the page is a load resistor. Can anyone tell me if I can just plug the light units (here: http://www.trailertek.com/acatalog/info_LT865.html & http://www.trailertek.com/acatalog/info_1_LT825.html ) into the original loom, or do I need the load resistor too? The light units make no mention of an additional resistor, but are full of potting compound, so I can't see what's in there. Cheers, Al. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 The use of an optional load resistor simulates the current draw used by a standard direction indicator bulb and enables the flasher unit to operate correctly. It just loads down the flasher unit so it doesn't think the bulb's gone. LED compatible flasher unit is a nicer way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astro_Al Posted November 19, 2012 Author Share Posted November 19, 2012 Ah, thanks Fridge - so all the non-indicators are fine to just plug in? Comme ca? - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LED-compatible-flasher-indicator-relay-works-mixed-LED-Bulb-combinations-/380423703096 Al. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 yep, stop,tail & reverse lights if fitted can be connected straight to the vehicles looms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astro_Al Posted November 19, 2012 Author Share Posted November 19, 2012 Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I think after this long period of silence you should at least give a bit more info on your current fleet / workshop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astro_Al Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share Posted November 20, 2012 Hmm, well, fleet: after selling my hairdresser's hippo with head gasket issues, I bought a carp-box fiesta van which met a bollard during a friction-free braking event in the snow in Winchester and was never the same again... (I never knew car designers would be dumb enough to not put ANY metal between the flimsy plastic bumper and the radiator. Unbelievable.) Bought a 300 tdi disco for 500 with a dodgy head gasket (apparently). Had it flow tested at Owslebury Crankshaft Services in Winchester (recommended, they know their stuff for engine work), it was so leaky, they couldn't even register a value on their flow bench! Fixed the head, got bored of fixing all the other carp & sold it on (now with a member of Shires LRc I believe). Im getting a bit long in the tooth for hand me downs, but me lovely Pop bought himself a new defender at that point, and he passed his old one on to me. Sadly though, 'twas a basket case. Chassis, bulkhead, brakes, wheel bearings, engine etc all fubar. Total money pit, was getting 19 mpg on diesel and simply couldn't afford to go anywhere in it, so I sold it on for a LWB vitara which I have chopped the back off and I'm currently fitting an LPG system to. Made it into a simple flat tray back for transporting metalwork (the smaller stuff) and general 40 or 50 mpg equivalent running around. Nice. Just started sorting the Mog for business use, transporting larger jobs etc, plus hiab for fitting stuff on site. Was gonna fit he nv4500 and atlas fom my vapour project days, but it's not necessary, so now looking to offload them. I'll stick a 4.0 straight six and nv3500 from a cherokee in it and call it good. Still got the workshop near Micheldever, still huge, but doing my best to fill it with interesting tools. Latest addition is a 5.5 tonne powerhammer which I have spent 3 years looking for. Drop by on your way past sometime. Might be moving abroad for 2 or 3 years soon, might get the flying spanners guys to crack on with the Mog in my absence if I do, are they still firing on all cylinders? I don't get on here much, but it seems the haydays have passed? Hope all good, sos for looong post! Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtydiesel Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 It just loads down the flasher unit so it doesn't think the bulb's gone. LED compatible flasher unit is a nicer way to go. The only down side to the led flasher units, is they melt when the trailer lights are on. i melted 3 from vehicle wiring products before they refused to change them. i then fitted some tiny ally bodied resisters off ebay, i think they were sold as motor bike ones? these have been in for 3 years with no problems. ps. nice to see you back Al. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtydiesel Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 These look identical to the ones i fitted, only i bought from a uk seller http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Load-Resistors-Turn-Signal-LED-Light-Flash-Controller-/350607974253?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item51a1dd1f6d Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 That answers that then: 25W 8ohms, so you could drop one 50W 4 Ohm in there instead... or just use a light-bulb. Power resistors are available from RS/CPC/Farnell/Rapid and probably Maplins, just bolt 'em to something metal to take the heat away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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